Solo travel essentials: everything you must pack

Last Updated on February 25, 2026 by Ioana

Taking your first solo trip is both exciting and scary. Having a packing list with all the essential items you need when visiting foreign countries can make the experience less stressful. In this blog post I will share all the solo travel essentials you need when you travel solo for the first time. This blog post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.

Luggage

Backpack

Whenever I go on a short trip, I only take this travel backpack with me. I’ve had this Osprey backpack in black for a few years and I love it. It’s basically a mini suitcase that looks like a backpack. 

I can fit so much stuff in there because of this design! Plus, it has a bunch of pockets and even a laptop compartment. It’s great when you fly basic economy and you can only take one personal item with you on the plane.

You could also invest in a duffel bag if you don’t like backpacks, but in my opinion a backpack is much easier to carry.

Mid-budget carry-on bag

I am team carry on. I only check in bags if my trip is longer than 2 weeks or if I’m moving. That’s it.

I recently discovered LEVEL8 and I’m very happy with the quality of their suitcases, the look and the price. I also have a 15% discount code (solotravel15) that you can use for any LEVEL8 luggage.

More expensive carry on

If you’re not shopping on a budget then you can consider a fancier carry on from Away. It’s a hard shell suitcase with a slick design. Plus, it’s very durable.

Affordable checked luggage

I recently got this checked luggage from American Tourister. I love their colorful designs; they are super cute. And they will be quite easy to recognize on the conveyor belt. The price is great too. A bit over $100 is a great deal for a large 28″ luggage. 

If you are going on a long-term trip and need extra space for outfits, versatile shoes, and other essentials, then having a reliable check-in luggage that will last a long time is very important.

More expensive checked luggage

If you are willing to pay a bit more, then Away’s checked luggage is a great choice. It’s the perfect mix of luxury, craftsmanship, and superior materials. 

Packing cubes

If I fly only with my backpack, I don’t use packing cubes. To be honest, even when I fly with a carry on I don’t really use them, but I can see why they are useful. If you like things super tidy and organized, they will take your packing game to the next level.

Weekender bag

This bag is perfect for a weekend trip or day trips. I love that it has a removable bottom compartment that doubles as a packing cube.

If you decide to take it with you when you fly it also has a sleeve so you can easily slide it on a carry on.

Travel jewelry case

I had to add a travel jewelry organizer on this list of travel essentials for women. I love a super compact box with lots of different compartments. This one is super cute, and the best part is that it only costs $5.99. Love a good deal.

Crossbody day bag

I always carry a crossbody bag with me when I travel. It’s small enough that you can use it every day during a trip, and you can take your essentials with you as you explore a new destination.

Shoe bags

If you’re like me and don’t always use packing cubes but would like the soles of your shoes to not touch your clothes then a shoe bag will do.

Air tag

Whenever I have to check in baggage, and I have a layover I’m always afraid the airline will lose it. It happened to me a few times.

But now I can track it with an Air tag and at least I have the peace of mind that I know where my luggage is even though it gets lost. Game changer.

Toiletries

Toiletry bag

I love a toiletry bag that’s large enough to fit all my beauty products, but small enough that it doesn’t take up that much space in my carry on.

I always pick a water resistant one that has a lot of compartments, so I can keep everything organized.

Travel size containers

Traveling with toiletries under 4 oz / 100mL is such a hassle. I am looking forward to the day we can bring full-sized containers with us. But until then I will use these travel size containers.

Sunscreen

I am so white that I could compete with Snow White on who has whiter skin. I would probably win the contest. That means that I burn super easily.

If I spend more than 15 – 20 minutes in the sun and I’m not wearing sunscreen I will get a sunburn. So I always apply sunscreen, including when I travel. This one is high quality and it offers UVA/UVB protection.

Face moisturizer

Airplane air is so dry that applying double the amount of moisturizer before a flight is always a good idea. Plus, if you’re traveling to a sunny destination or a very cold one, your skin will suffer.

I’ve been using the Fresh Rose Deep Hydration moisturizer for a few years and I love it. It also has hyaluronic acid, so it can help with anti-aging.

To be honest people always think I’m 5-7 years younger than I actually am. It’s mostly my genes, but maybe this cream plays a small part too, who knows?

Body lotion

It’s not just the face that gets super dry when you travel, it’s the entire body. Moisturizing is so important when traveling. I aways go for hand and body lotion from L’Occitane. It’s so hydrating and it smells so good!

Cleanser

One of the best feelings is to wash your face after a long flight. Don’t get me wrong, I like flying, but I always feel so icky after a long flight.

This Soy Face Cleanser from Fresh smells good and it doesn’t dry your face as much as other cleansers I tried. I’ve been a loyal customer for a few years now.

Lip balm

I hate having dry, crusty lips. So I always pack a lot of lip balms when I travel because they seem to always disappear.

I’m a Burt’s Bees girl. I’ve used these lip balms ever since I moved to the US. Mango is my favorite.

Microfiber towel

Whoever invented microfiber towels needs a prize. They are perfect for travelers. You can use it when showering, at the pool, when backpacking. It dries so fast, and it doesn’t occupy a lot of space like regular towels.

Electronic devices

Noise canceling headphones

I love noise canceling headphones. I prefer them over airpods even when I’m not traveling.

I’ve been a Bose girl for years and I love their headphones. If you don’t want to hear crying babies and that background plane noise anymore, this is a great option.

AirPods

If you don’t like the large noise canceling headphones, then the smaller airpods are a great alternative. Be careful not to lose them on the plane though.

On my last flight there was a girl who lost one of them somewhere in her seat. She called the flight attendant and they both searched for the missing airpod for a good 10 minutes, but they couldn’t find it.

Plug adaptors

Plug adaptors are a must have for every international traveler. It’s worth investing in this universal travel adapter since it works for all plug types and it’s perfect for a world trip. If you don’t want to invest in one, you can buy individual adaptors for the region you’re traveling to.

UK plug adapter

This one is the one you need if you travel to the UK and Ireland.

Europe plug adapter

This one is the one you need if you travel to Europe.

US plug adapter

This one is the one you need if you travel to the US.

Portable charger / power bank

If you’re like me, you use your phone a lot to check Google Maps and take pictures and videos when you travel. My poor phone’s battery rarely lasts for a full day of exploring. So having a portable phone charger is a must.

Waterproof Insta 360 camera

This is a neat little camera for travel adventures. I love the fact that you can also use it underwater. Plus, it’s so tiny it can fit in any luggage.

DSLR camera

If you want a fancier camera and can afford the extra cost this DSLR from Canon is a great option. I haven’t invested in a DSLR camera yet, but I might take the plunge soon.

Drone

I don’t own a drone yet. But if I buy one, it’s going to be a DJI. I heard great things about it. Unless you’re a photographer / videographer or content creator, you don’t really need a drone, let’s be real. But I added it to the list in case you want a fancy new gadget for your travels.

Tripod

Pictures are a must during every single trip. They are memories that you’ll cherish later. A tripod / selfie stick is a life saver if you travel solo or if your travel companion doesn’t take good pictures.

It might look cringey, but I don’t care. Those people judging are people I’ll never see again in my entire life, but the pictures I took will be forever.

eSIM for affordable data when traveling internationally

eSIM cards are a game changer for international travel. They are basically digital versions of a physical SIM card and they only provide internet connection when you travel internationally, no talk and text.

Airalo eSIM has very affordable data plans so you can travel like a local and stay connected without breaking the bank.

Flight essentials

Travel documents

This is probably number one on my list of travel essentials for women. Don’t forget your passport and other important documents (like your airline tickets or credit cards) at home!

And if you’re traveling to a country where you need a visa, make sure you apply and get everything sorted out well in advance of your trip.

Passport cover

A passport cover is so useful for keeping your passport intact. If you travel a lot your passport can easily get damaged, and we don’t want that. This cover has is super cute and it comes with a luggage tag as well.

Reusable water bottle

Buying those $7 water bottles at the airport makes me feel like I’m wasting my hard-earned money. You can add a few more bucks and you can buy a Ryanair flight instead.

So bringing a reusable water bottle to fill it up after airport security from one of the water stations is a smart move.

And if you get a filtered water bottle you can enjoy clean water and avoid the questionable tap water at hotels.

Compression socks

Compression socks might seem like an odd accessory, but they are actually great for anybody going on long flights. They help your body move your blood from the feet to your heart.

Plus, women who are long distance travelers are at a higher risk of deep vein thrombosis or blood clots. So compression socks should definitely be on any list of travel essentials for women. We need to stay healthy while traveling.

Neck pillow

Flying economy or low-cost airlines is great because you can see more of the world and not pay a lot. But this also comes with disadvantages.

One of them is that your neck and shoulders will feel very stiff after a longer flight. Having to sleep in odd positions does that to you. Investing in a travel pillow can help prevent this.

Phone stand for flights

Many older aircrafts don’t have in-flight entertainment. This cell phone stand can be easily attached to the seat or tray table in front of you, so you can watch all the movies until you get to your destination.

E reader

If you like to read a good book while flying to pass the time, then you need a Kindle. I am a fan of hard copies of books, but they are so heavy and take up so much space that I don’t take them with me on flights anymore. Kindle is much more convenient.

Bag scale

If you tend to overpack, then you need a bag scale. We all know that airlines are very strict about their 50lbs / 23kg checked baggage rule.

I personally hate having to open my bag in the middle of the airport to take stuff out. And I refuse to pay the extra fee. So weighing my checked luggage before going to the airport gives me peace of mind.

Accessories

Scarf

A scarf is one of the most important travel essentials for women. Why? Because it’s so versatile. If it’s cold outside you can use it as a shawl.

If you have to enter a religious sites that requires women to cover their heads, you can use your scarf for that. No picnic blanket? Use the scarf. Need to accessorize an outfit? The scarf is great for that too. It should be a staple for any traveler.

Sun glasses

Not being able to see the places you go to properly because of the sun shining is the worst. Plus, this damages your eyesight with time. So make sure to always pack a pair of sunglasses with you.

Hair ties

Hair ties are travel essentials for women with long hair. I have thick, high volume, curly hair that always gets in my face. So I keep it up in a bun most days.

This way I don’t have to constantly deal with it in my face. Plus, during the summer it feels like I’m wearing a thick hat and scarf if I have it down. So hair ties are a must on any trip.

Band-Aids

Accidents happen and we need to be prepared with band-aids and even a first aid kit.

I tend to walk a lot more while I travel, which means that I will most likely develop blisters. So having some band aids handy means that I won’t be in pain while exploring.

Sun hat

If you’re going on a tropical vacation or if you’re traveling during summer, you need to protect yourself from the sun. Sun poisoning sucks.

I had it a few times and I promise you, you want to prevent it. A chic sun hat can do the trick for warm weather vacations.

Small umbrella

If you travel a lot during shoulder season, like I do, then you must pack an umbrella. These are the seasons when it rains more, so you have to be prepared.

Mini fan

I hate hot and humid weather. I instantly sweat and it makes me feel so gross and uncomfortable. Having a mini fan to blast on your face can make the experience more tolerable.

Small makeup mirror

I had to include a makeup mirror on this list of essential travel items for women. I carry one with me every time I travel in my crossbody purse.

It comes in handy when you need to reapply lipstick or, you know, if you want to check if you have something stuck in your teeth.

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